Air conditioner and control method thereof

ABSTRACT

Provided is an air conditioner. The air conditioner includes a water tank to store water, a visual body disposed over the water tank and formed of a transparent material, a watering housing to draw water stored in the water tank and to spray the drawn water to the visual body, a water level sensor to measure a water level of the water tank in a multi-stage, a top cover assembly disposed over the visual body and having a water supply hole to supply water to the water tank, and a water level display unit disposed beside the water supply hole of the top cover assembly to display a water level measured by the water level sensor in a multi-stage.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This U.S. non-provisional patent application claims priority under 35U.S.C. § 119 of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/248,463, filed onOct. 30, 2015, Korean Patent Application No. 10-2015-0156254, filed onNov. 7, 2015, Korean Patent Application No. 10-2016-0037235, filed onMar. 28, 2016, U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/355,118, filed onJun. 27, 2016, Korean Patent Application No. 10-2016-0083106, filed onJun. 30, 2016, and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2016-0135195, filedon Oct. 18, 2016, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporatedby reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention disclosed herein relates to an air conditioner anda control method thereof, and more particularly, to an air conditionerfor measuring and displaying a water level of a water tank that storeswater for humidification in a multi-stage and a control method thereof.

An air conditioner is an apparatus that changes the interior space intoa pleasant environment by allowing air to flow and thus cooling,heating, purifying or humidifying air. Such an air conditioner includesa water tank for storing water for humidification. If a user is notifiedonly when there is no water in such a water tank, the user may not knowin advance when to replenish water in a water tank, and if a user isnotified only when water is full during the replenishing of water in awater tank, water overflow may occur.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an air conditioner for measuring anddisplaying a water level of a water tank in a multi-stage and a controlmethod thereof.

The present invention also provides an air conditioner for subdividingthe water level measurement of a water tank to perform a measurementcontinuously and a control method thereof.

The present invention also provides an air conditioner for accuratelydisplaying a water level of a water tank and a control method thereof.

The objectives of the present invention are not limited to theabove-mentioned objectives, and other objectives that are not mentionedwill be clearly understood by persons skilled in the art from thefollowing description.

Embodiments of the present invention provide air conditioner including:a water tank to store water; a visual body disposed at an upper for ofthe water tank and formed of a transparent material; a watering housingto draw water stored in the water tank and to spray the drawn water tothe visual body; a water level sensor to measure a water level of thewater tank in a multi-stage; a top cover assembly disposed at an upperpart of the visual body and including a water supply hole to supplywater to the water tank; and a water level display unit disposed aroundthe water supply hole of the top cover assembly to display a water levelmeasured by the water level sensor in a multi-stage.

In some embodiments, the water tank may comprise a floater to movevertically according to a water level of the water tank and to generatea magnetic force, the water level sensor comprises a plurality of holesensors to detect a magnetic force generated by the floater and tooutput a signal, and at least one of the plurality of hole sensorsdetects a magnetic force generated by the floater to output a signal.

In some embodiments, the air conditioner may further comprise a controlunit to receive a signal from the water level sensor to determine awater level of the water tank.

In some embodiments, when there is one hole sensor outputting a signalamong the plurality of hole sensors, the control unit may determine awater level of the water tank by the one hole sensor outputting thesignal and may display the determined water level on the water leveldisplay unit.

In some embodiments, when there are two hole sensors outputting signalsamong the plurality of hole sensors, the control unit may determine awater level of the water tank by the hole sensor disposed higher betweenthe two hole sensors outputting the signals and displays the determinedwater level on the water level display unit.

In some embodiments, the air conditioner may further comprises a controlunit to wait for a water level display change time after the water levelsensor measures a water level drop of the water tank and to change awater level displayed on the water level display unit.

In some embodiments, the control unit may calculate the water leveldisplay change time from an unmeasurable amount, that is the amount ofwater recovered in the water tank after the stopping of the operation ofthe watering motor, and an evaporation rate, that is the amount ofevaporated water per hour due to humidification.

In other embodiments of the present invention, provided are controlmethods of air conditioner including a water tank to store water, awater level sensor including a plurality of hole sensors to measure awater level of the water tank in a multi-stage, a floater disposed atthe water tank to move vertically according to a water level, and awater level display unit to display a water level measured by the waterlevel sensor in a multi-stage. The control methods include: when thereis one hole sensor outputting a signal by detecting a magnetic forcegenerated by the floater, determining a water level of the water tank bythe one hole sensor outputting the signal; and when there are two holesensors outputting signals by detecting a magnetic force generated bythe floater among the plurality of hole sensors, determining a waterlevel of the water tank by the hole sensor disposed higher between thetwo hole sensors outputting the signals.

In some embodiments, the control method may further comprises displayingthe determined water level of the water tank on a water level displayunit disposed beside a water supply hole to supply water to the watertank and to display a water level measured by the water level sensor ina multi-stage.

In some embodiments, the control method may further comprises:measuring, by the water level sensor, a water level drop of the watertank; waiting for a water level display change time after measuring thewater level drop of the water tank; and displaying a water level changeon the water level display unit, disposed beside the water supply holefor supplying water to the water tank, after the water level displaychange time.

In some embodiments, the water level display change time may becalculated from an unmeasurable amount, that is the amount of waterrecovered in the water tank after stopping an operation of a wateringmotor, and an evaporation rate, that is the amount of evaporated waterper hour due to humidification.

In some embodiments, the control method may further comprises, when itis determined that there is no water in the water tank, stoppingspraying water stored in the water tank.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are included to provide a furtherunderstanding of the present invention, and are incorporated in andconstitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrateexemplary embodiments of the present invention and, together with thedescription, serve to explain principles of the present invention. Inthe drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an air conditioner accordingto an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an air conditioneraccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an air conditioneraccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating an air conditioneraccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a view illustrating a water level sensor of an air conditioneraccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an air conditioner according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a control method of an airconditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a view illustrating a water level of a water tank displayed ona water level display unit of an air conditioner according to anembodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a control method when a water levelof an air conditioner drops according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Advantages and features of the present invention, and implementationmethods thereof will be clarified through following embodimentsdescribed with reference to the accompanying drawings. The presentinvention may, however, be embodied in different forms and should not beconstrued as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, theseembodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough andcomplete, and will fully convey the scope of the present invention tothose skilled in the art. Further, the present invention is only definedby scopes of claims. Like reference numerals refer to like elementsthroughout.

Hereinafter, air conditioner and control methods thereof according toexemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described indetail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an air conditioner accordingto an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an explodedperspective view illustrating an air conditioner according to anembodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional viewillustrating an air conditioner according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

An air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present inventionmay include a cleaning module 100 receiving external air and thencleaning air, and a humidification module 200 providing moisture to aircleaned in the cleaning module 100.

The air conditioner may include a base body 130 for supporting the airconditioner from the bottom and forming the appearance, a filterassembly 10 disposed separably from the base body 110 and cleaning air,a blower unit 20 disposed inside the base body 130 to allow air to flow,and a cylindrical mounting body 140 disposed inside the base body 130and including a water tank 30 inserted.

The base body 130 may form the appearance of the air conditioner. Theupper part of the base body 130 may be formed of a transparent materialthrough which a use can see the inside. An inlet 101 for receivingexternal air may be formed at the lower part of the base body 130. Afilter installation opening part 133 where the filter assembly 10 isinserted may be formed at one side of the base body 130. A blower unit20 may be disposed at the upper side of the filter installation openingpart 133 inside the base body 130. The mounting body 140 may be disposedat the upper side of the blower unit 20 inside the base body 130. Themounting body 140 may be disposed at the upper part of a watering motor42. A display module 160 may be disposed at the upper side of themounting body 140. A ring-shaped space may be formed between the outersurface of the mounting body 140 and the inner surface of the base body130 to allow air blown by the blower fan 24 of the blower unit 20 toflow upwardly. The water tank 30 and a visual body 210 may be insertedinto the base body 130.

The blower unit 20 may be disposed inside the base body 130 to allow airto be entered through the inlet 101 and discharged through an outlet107. The blower unit 20 may be disposed between the filter assembly 10and a spray unit 40. The blower unit 20 may blow clean air from thefilter assembly 10 to a lower humidification medium 51 and an upperhumidification medium 55. The blower unit 20 may include a blower fan 24for blowing air and a blower motor 22 for rotating the blower fan 24.Air blown from the blower fan 24 may flow to the humidification module200. The blower fan 24 may blow air to the lower humidification medium51 and the upper humidification medium 55 described later. The blowermotor 22 may be a brushless DC (BLDC) motor whose rotating speed can becontrolled. The blower motor 22 may rotate the blower fan 24 in variousrotating speeds.

The filter assembly 10 may be detachably disposed inside the base body130 to clean air entered to the inlet 101. The filter assembly 10 may bedisposed at the lower part of the blower unit 20. Air cleaned by thefilter assembly 10 may flow to the blower unit 20.

The filter assembly 10 may include a filter cover 13 for shielding thefiler installation opening part 133 when installed to the base body 130and an electrostatic precipitation module 15 for charging foreignmaterials (for example, dust and so on) in air with electricity to cleanthe air. The filter assembly 10 may further include a pre-filter (notshown) for filtering foreign materials in air entered through the inlet101 and a deodorizing filter (not shown) for deodorizing a bad smell inair. A detection opening part 13 a open to allow external air to flowinto an air state sensor unit 135 described later may be formed at thefilter cover 13.

The humidification module 200 may include a visual body 210 detachablycoupled to the cleaning module 100 and formed of a transparent materialthrough which a user can see the inside, a cylindrical water tank 30coupled to the visual body 210 and storing water, a watering unit 40 fordrawing water stored in the water tank 30 and spraying the water, alower humidification medium 51 and an upper humidification medium 55wetted with water sprayed from the watering unit 40 to contain amoisture and humidifying passing-through air, and a top cover assembly230 disposed at the upper end of the visual body 210.

The visual body 210 may be disposed inside the upper part of the basebody 130. The visual body 210 may be disposed at the upper part of thewater tank 30 and thus, its lower end may be coupled to the water tank30. The visual body 210 may reflect and scatter water sprayed from thewatering unit 40. The visual body 210 may be disposed at the upper partof the base body 130 so that a user can see water scattered inside thevisual body 210 through an upper transparent portion of the base body130. The lower humidification medium 51 may be separably disposed at thelower side of the visual body 210 and the upper humidification medium 55may be separably disposed at the upper side.

The water tank 30 may store water. The water tank 30 may be disposedinside base body 130. The water tank 30 may be inserted into themounting body 140 of the base body 130. The upper end of the water tank30 may be coupled with the visual body 210 so that the water tank 30 maybe separated from the cleaning module 100 together with the visual body210. A space may be formed between the visual body 210 and the watertank 30 and air passing through between the base body 130 and themounting body 140 may flow as the blower fan 24 of the blower unit 20blows air.

The lower humidification medium 51 may be disposed between the visualbody 210 and the water tank 30. The lower humidification medium 51 maybe separably coupled to the lower end of the visual body 210 to bedisposed so as to prevent water stored in the water tank 30 fromdirectly contacting it. The lower humidification medium 51 may be wetwith water sprayed and scattered by the watering unit 40. The lowerhumidification medium 51 may be formed of a material that is capable ofcontaining moisture. Air flowing to the space between the visual body210 and the water tank 30 may pass through the lower humidificationmedium 51. The lower humidification medium 51 may contain moisture andhumidify passing-through air.

The watering unit 40 may include a rotatable watering housing 44 fordrawing and spraying water in the water tank 30 and a watering motor 42for rotating the watering housing 44. The watering housing 44 is rotatedby the watering motor 42 to draw and spray water in the water tank 30.The watering housing 44 may spray water to the visual body 210 to supplymoisture to the upper humidification medium 55 and the lowerhumidification medium 51. The watering housing 44 may be disposed insidethe water tank 30 to be separated together with the water tank 30. Thewatering motor 42 may be disposed at the lower side of the wateringhousing 44 and disposed at the upper side of the blower motor 22. Thewatering motor 42 may be a brushless DC (BLDC) motor whose rotatingspeed can be controlled. The watering motor 42 may rotate the wateringhousing 44 in various rotating speeds.

Since the watering housing 44 holds water in the water tank 30 duringrotation and water sprayed from the watering housing 44 exists on theinner surface of the visual body 210 and the inner surface of the watertank 30, when the watering housing 44 starts to rotate, a water level ofthe water tank 30 becomes lower and when the watering housing 44 stopsrotating, a water level of the water tank 30 becomes higher.

The top cover assembly 230 may be disposed at the upper part of thevisual body 210 to cover the upper side of the visual body 210. The topcover assembly 230 may be separably coupled with the visual body 210 tocover the water tank 30. A ring-shaped outlet 107 through which airhumidified after passing through the lower humidification medium 51 andthe upper humidification medium 55 is discharged to the outside may beformed at the top cover assembly 230. A circular water supply hole 109for supplying water to the water tank 30 may be formed at the centerpart of the top cover assembly 230. A user may pour water in the watersupply hole 109 of the top cover assembly 230 to supply the water to thewater tank 30.

An operation module 240 may be disposed between the outlet 107 and thewater supply hole 109 of the top cover assembly 230. A water leveldisplay unit 250 may be disposed beside the water supply hole 109 of thetop cover assembly 230.

The upper humidification medium 55 may be disposed at the lower part ofthe top cover assembly 230. The upper humidification medium 55 may beseparably disposed at the upper side of the visual body 210. The upperhumidification medium 55 may be wet with water sprayed and scattered bythe watering unit 40. The upper humidification medium 55 may be formedof a material that is capable of containing moisture. Air discharged tothe outlet 107 of the visual body 210 may pass through the upperhumidification medium 55. The upper humidification medium 55 may containmoisture and humidify passing-through air.

The air state sensor unit 135 may measure an air state at a place wherean air conditioner is installed. The air state refers to a relativehumidity of air, a dust state, or an odor state. The air state sensorunit 135 may include at least one of a humidity sensor for measuring arelative humidity by detecting the temperature and humidity of air, adust sensor for measuring a dust state by detecting a dust concentrationin air, and an odor sensor for measuring an odor state by detecting amaterial that causes an odor in air.

The operation module 240 may receive an instruction from a user. Theoperation module 240 may be disposed at the upper surface of the topcover assembly 230. Through the operation module 240, a user may inputvarious instructions for controlling operations of an air conditioner.

The display module 160 may display a state of an air conditioner. Thedisplay module 160 may be formed in a ring shape and disposed inside thebase body 130. The display module 160 may be disposed to allow a user tosee it through a transparent portion at the upper part of the base body130. A user may check an air state, a current operation mode, and othersetting states through the display module 160. The mounting body 140 maybe disposed at the lower side of the display module 160.

The display module 160 may include a state display unit 163 fordisplaying a state of an air conditioner through an icon or a letter anda lighting unit 165 for displaying a state of an air conditioner throughlight of various colors. The state display unit 163 may display an airstate, an operation mode, or other setting states through an icon or aletter. The lighting unit 165 may display an air state by emitting lightof various colors.

The water level display unit 250 may be disposed nearby the water supplyhole 109 of the top cover assembly 230 to display a water level of waterstored in the water tank 30 in a multi-stage. This will be described inmore detail later.

An ion generation module 137 may generate ions to remove bacteria orviruses. The ion generation module 137 may be disposed inside base body130. The ion generation module 137 may be disposed on a flow passage ofair that flows by the blower fan 24 of the blower unit 20. The iongeneration module 137 may ionize molecules as high voltage is applied.The ions generated by the ion generation module 137 may flow to thelower humidification medium 51 by the blower fan 24 of the blower unit20. Since continuous ion generation is harmful for a user, it may bedesirable that the ion generation module 137 operates only in a specificmode or by a user setting.

An ultraviolet module 170 may emit ultraviolet light to remove bacteriaor viruses. The ultraviolet module 170 may emit ultraviolet light towardwater stored in the water tank 30 to remove bacteria or viruses, whichare propagated from the water stored in the water tank 30.

FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of an air conditioner accordingto an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a view illustratinga water level sensor of an air conditioner according to an embodiment ofthe present invention.

A water tank 30 may include a floater 33 moving vertically according tothe height of water contained in the water tank 30 and a floater cover31 disposed at the inner sidewall surface of the water tank 30 toreceive the floater 33. The floater 33 may include a permanent magnetthat generates a magnetic force therein. The floater 33 may movevertically according to a water level of the water tank 30 in thefloater cover 31. In this embodiment, the vertical direction means thegravity direction.

The floater cover 31 may be disposed at the inner sidewall surface ofthe water tank 30. A movement path of the floater 33, which is formedlong vertically, may be formed at the floater cover 31. A cover hole 31a where water stored in the water tank 30 flows may be formed at thefloater cover 31. A portion 30 e where the floater cover 31 is disposedin the undersurface of the water tank 30 may have a deeper depth than amiddle portion 30 d where the floater cover 31 of the water tank 30 isnot disposed. The portion 30 e where the floater cover 31 is disposed inthe undersurface of the water tank 30 may be drawn downwardly, so thatwhen the floater 33 is located at the lowest side, the center part ofthe floater 33 may have the same height as the middle portion 30 d theundersurface of the water tank 30.

An air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present inventionmay include a water level sensor cover 141 disposed at the outer wallsurface of the mounting body 140 and including a water level sensor 142received and a water level sensor 142 for measuring a water level ofwater stored in the water tank 30 by detecting a magnetic forcegenerated by the floater 33. The water level sensor cover 141 may bedisposed at the outer sidewall surface of the mounting body 140 incorrespondence to a movement path of the floater 33. A cylindrical waterlevel sensor boss 145 for fixing the water level sensor 142 may beformed at the water level sensor cover 141. In this embodiment, twowater level sensor bosses 145 may be formed and disposed vertically. Acover terminal 147 for supplying power to the water level sensor 142 andreceiving a signal from the water level sensor 142 may be disposed atthe water level sensor cover 141.

The water level sensor 142 may measure a water level of the water tank30 in a multi-stage. The water level measured by the water level sensor142 may be displayed on the water level display unit 250 in amulti-stage.

The water level sensor 142 may be disposed in correspondence to amovement path of the floater 33 of the water tank 30. The water levelsensor 142 may be disposed inside the water level sensor cover 141.Referring to FIG. 5, the water level sensor 142 may include a pluralityof hole sensors 142 a for detecting a magnetic force generated by thefloater 33, a sensor substrate 142 b formed long vertically andincluding the plurality of hole sensors 142 a disposed, and a sensorterminal 142 d disposed on the sensor substrate 142 b to receive powerfrom the cover terminal 147 and transmitting a signal to the coverterminal 147.

The plurality of hole sensors 142 a may be vertically disposed at equalintervals on the sensor substrate 142 b. In this embodiment, theplurality of hole sensors 142 a may be provided in five, and may bedisposed from the lower side in the order of a first hole sensor 142a-1, a second hole sensor 142 a-2, a third hole sensor 142 a-3, a fourthhole sensor 142 a-4, and a fifth hole sensor 142 a-5. That is, thesecond hole sensor 142 a-2 may be disposed on the first hole sensor 142a-1. The third hole sensor 142 a-3 may be disposed on the second holesensor 142 a-2. The fourth hole sensor 142 a-4 may be disposed on thethird hole sensor 142 a-3. The fifth hole sensor 142 a-5 may be disposedon the fourth hole sensor 142 a-4. In this embodiment, since the waterlevel sensor 142 includes five hole sensors 142 a, the water levelsensor 142 may measure a water level of the water tank 30 in five steps.When detecting a magnetic force of the floater 33, the hole sensor 142 amay output a signal and at this point, the signal is a voltage value.

The plurality of hole sensors 142 a may be disposed spaced atappropriate equal intervals in order to prevent a case that the floater33 does not detect an occurring magnetic force. In order to allow atleast one of the plurality of hole sensors 142 a to detect a magneticforce generated by the floater 33, an interval between the plurality ofhole sensors 142 a and a magnetic force of the floater 33 may beconfigured. When the floater 33 is disposed between two adjacent holesensors 142 a among the plurality of hole sensors 142 a, in order toallow all two hole sensors 142 a to detect the magnetic force of thefloater 33, an interval between the plurality of hole sensors 142 a andthe magnetic force of the floater 33 may be configured. In order toprevent more than three hole sensors 142 a among the plurality of holesensors 142 a from detecting the magnetic force of the floater 33 at thesame time in a normal state, an interval between the plurality of holesensors 142 a and the magnetic force of the floater 33 may beconfigured. That is, only one or two hole sensors 142 a among theplurality of hole sensors 142 a may detect the magnetic force of thefloater 33.

Since at least one among the plurality of hole sensors 142 a of thewater level sensor 142 detects the magnetic force of the floater 33, thewater level sensor 142 may measure a water level of the water tank 30continuously from an empty water level of the water tank 30 to a fullwater level of the water tank 30.

The sensor substrate 142 b may be coupled to the inside of the waterlevel sensor cover 141. In relation to the sensor substrate 142 b, aboss hole 142 c may be formed at a position corresponding to the waterlevel sensor boss 145 of the water level sensor cover 141. In thisembodiment, two boss holes 142 c may be formed. One boss hole 142 c maybe disposed at the lower side of the first hole sensor 142 a-1 and theother one may be disposed at the upper side of the fifth hole sensor 142a-5.

The sensor terminal 142 d may be disposed to contact the cover terminal147. The sensor terminal 142 d may receive power and deliver it to theplurality of hole sensors 142 a. In this embodiment, it is desirablethat when detecting the magnetic force of the floater 33, the pluralityof hole sensors 142 a output different voltage values and mutuallydistinguish them. When detecting the magnetic force of the floater 33,the plurality of hole sensors 142 a may output different signals and theoutputted signals may be delivered to the cover terminal 147 through thesensor terminal 142 d.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an air conditioner according to anembodiment of the present invention.

Since the operation module 240, the air state sensor unit 135, the waterlevel sensor 142, the electrostatic precipitation module 15, the blowermotor 22, the watering motor 42, the ion generation module 137, theultraviolet module 170, the lighting unit 165, the state display unit163, and the water level display unit 250 are identical to the abovecomponents, their descriptions will be omitted.

A communication module 180 may be communicably connected to a user'sportable device and transmit a state of an air conditioner to the user'sportable device. The communication module 180 may receive a user'sinstruction inputted through a user's portable device. The communicationmodule 180 may be wirelessly connected to a portable device such as auser's mobile phone or tablet through wireless communication such asWireless LAN (WLAN) (for example, Wi-Fi), 3G, or 4G LTE, Bluetooth,Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), and infrared Data Association(IrDA).

A buzzer module 150 may notify a state of an air conditioner throughsound. The buzzer module 150 may notify an air state or an issueoccurrence of an air conditioner through sound.

The control unit 190 may control the electrostatic precipitation module15, the blower motor 22, the watering motor 42, the ion generationmodule 137, and/or the ultraviolet module 170 according to a user'sinstruction inputted through the operation module 240 or thecommunication module 180 and/or an air state measured by the air statesensor unit 135, and may notify or display an air state, a setting orstate of an air conditioner, or a water level of the water tank 30through the lighting unit 165, the state display unit 163, the waterlevel display unit 250, the buzzer module 150, and/or the communicationmodule 180, to a user.

In this embodiment, the control unit 190 may receive a signal from thewater level sensor 142 to determine a water level of the water tank 30and display the determined water level on the water level display unit250 in a multi-stage. When it is determined that the measured waterlevel drops, the control unit 190 may calculate a water level displaychange time and after waiting for the calculated water level displaychange time, display the changed water level on the water level displayunit 250. The control unit 190 may determine a water level of the watertank 30 in five steps. The control unit 190 may display a water level ofthe water tank 30 on the water level display unit 250 in five steps.When it is determined that a water level of the water tank 30 is anempty level (that is, there is no water in the water tank 30), thecontrol unit 190 may output sound through the buzzer module 150. If itis determined that a water level of the water tank 30 is an empty waterlevel, the control unit 190 may stop an operation of the watering motor42 or the watering motor 42 may not operate during the receiving of auser's humidification instruction. The control unit 190 may notify thedetermined water level of the water tank 30 to a user through thecommunication module 180.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a control method of an airconditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8is a view illustrating a water level of a water tank displayed on awater level display unit of an air conditioner according to anembodiment of the present invention.

The control unit 190 may determine whether the hole sensor 142 a thatoutputs a signal is one in operation S310.

Since the plurality of hole sensors 142 a output different signals whendetecting the magnetic force of the floater 33, the control unit 190that receives a signal from the water level sensor 142 may determine howmany signals are inputted.

If it is determined that the hole sensor 142 a that outputs a signal isone, the control unit 190 may determine a water level of the water tank30 through the hole sensor 142 a where a signal is inputted and then,display the determined water level on the water level display unit 250in operation S320.

The control unit 190 may determine that a water level of the water tank30 is a first water level W1 (for example, an empty water) when aninputted signal is a signal of the first hole sensor 142 a-1, determinethat a water level of the water tank 30 is a second water level W2higher than the first water level W1 when an inputted signal is a signalof the second hole sensor 142 a-2, determine that a water level of thewater tank 30 is a third water level W3 higher than the second waterlevel W2 when an inputted signal is a signal of the third hole sensor142 a-3, determine that a water level of the water tank 30 is a fourthwater level W4 higher than the third water level W3 when an inputtedsignal is a signal of the fourth hole sensor 142 a-4, and determine thata water level of the water tank 30 is a fifth water level W5 higher thanthe fourth water level W4 when an inputted signal is a signal of thefifth hole sensor 142 a-5.

When it is determined that the hole sensor 142 a that outputs a signalis not one, the control unit 190 may determine whether the hole sensor142 a that outputs a signal is two in operation S330.

When it is determined that the hole sensor 142 a that outputs a signalis not two, the control unit 190 may not determine a water level. Asmentioned above, since one or two holes sensors 142 a among theplurality of hole sensors 142 a are designed to detect the magneticforce of the floater 33, when if there is no hole sensor 142 a thatoutputs a signal or there are three or more hole sensors 142 a thatoutput a signal, this means an abnormal state, so that the water levelsensor 142 may not determine a water level. According to an embodiment,when a case that it is determined that the hole sensor 142 a thatoutputs a signal is not two is maintained for a predetermined time, thecontrol unit 190 may notify a user that an error occurs through thestate display unit 163, the buzzer module 150, and/or the communicationmodule 180.

When it is determined that the hole sensor 142 a that outputs a signalis two, the control unit 190 may determine a water level of the watertank 30 through the hole sensor 142 a that is disposed higher than thehole sensor 142 a that receives a signal and display the determinedwater level on the water level display unit 250 in operation S340.

When a water level is the empty water level W1 by determining the waterlevel of the water tank 30 through a low hole sensor 142 a among thehole sensors 142 a that receive signals, even if there is water in thewater tank 30, the watering motor 42 may stop. Additionally, when awater level is the fourth water level W4 by determining the water levelof the water tank 30 through a low hole sensor 142 a among the holesensors 142 a that receive signals, since an actual water level ishigher than the fourth water level W4, if a user pours water in the topcover assembly 230, water overflow may occur. Accordingly, when it isdetermined that the hole sensor 142 a that outputs a signal is two, thecontrol unit 190 may determine the water level of the water tank 30through a high hole sensor 142 a among the hole sensors 142 a thatreceive signals.

The control unit 190 may determine that the water level of the watertank 30 is the second water level W2 when inputted signals are signalsof the first hole sensor 142 a-1 and the second hole sensor 142 a-2,determine that the water level of the water tank 30 is the third waterlevel W3 when inputted signals are signals of the second hole sensor 142a-2 and the third hole sensor 142 a-3, determine that the water level ofthe water tank 30 is the fourth water level W4 when inputted signals aresignals of the third hole sensor 142 a-3 and the fourth hole sensor 142a-4, and determine that the water level of the water tank 30 is thefifth water level W5 (for example, full water) when inputted signals aresignals of the fourth hole sensor 142 a-4 and the fifth hole sensor 142a-5.

The control unit 190 performs a control according to the determinedwater level in operation S350.

The control unit 190 may display the determined water level on the waterlevel display unit 250 in five steps as shown in FIG. 8. The controlunit 190 may notify the determined water level of the water tank 30 infive steps to a user through the communication module 180.

When it is determined that the water level of the water tank 30 is anempty water level, the control unit 190 may display the empty waterlevel W1 on the water level display unit 250 and output sound throughthe buzzer module 150, and then stop an operation of the watering motor42 to stop a rotation of the watering housing 44, or prevent anoperation of the watering motor 42 not to rotate the watering housing44.

When it is determined that the water level of the water tank 30 drops,the control unit 190 may perform a control method described later.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a control method when a water levelof an air conditioner drops according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

The control unit 190 may operate the watering motor 42 to rotate thewatering housing 44 in operation S410. A user may select an operationmode by operating the operation module 240 or when a user inputs ahumidification instruction, the control unit 190 may operate thewatering motor 42. When the watering motor 42 operates, the wateringhousing 44 may rotate to draw and spray water in the water tank 30.During an operation of the watering motor 42, the water level sensor 142may measure a water level of the water tank 30.

The water level sensor 142 may measure a water level drop of the watertank 30 in operation S420.

Since each of the plurality of hole sensors 142 a outputs a differentsignal as detecting the magnetic force of the floater 33, if a waterlevel drops by one step, the water level sensor 142 may change anoutputted signal from a signal of one hole sensor 142 a into a signal ofanother hole sensor 142 a that is disposed below the corresponding holesensor 142 a.

When a signal inputted from the water level sensor 142 is changed from asignal of one hole sensor 142 a into a signal of another hole sensor 142a that is disposed below the corresponding hole sensor 142 a, thecontrol unit 190 may determine that the water level sensor 142 measuresa water level drop of the water tank 30. When a changed signal of thehole sensor 142 a is inputted continuously for a predetermined time (forexample, 3 seconds in this embodiment), the control unit 190 maydetermine that a measured water level drops.

For example, when an inputted signal is changed from a signal of thefourth hole sensor 142 a-4 to a signal of the third hole sensor 142 a-3and maintained for more than 3 seconds, the control unit 190 maydetermine that the water level sensor 142 measures one step drop of awater level of the water tank 30.

The control unit 190 may calculate a water level display change time byusing the amount of water in the water tank 30, the visual body 210,and/or the watering housing 44 (hereinafter referred to as unmeasurableamount) and an evaporation rate that is the amount of evaporated waterper hour due to humidification in operation S430. The unmeasurableamount is the amount of water that is recovered into the water tank 30after an operation stop of the watering motor 42.

The control unit 190 may calculate a water level display change time bydividing the unmeasurable amount by the evaporation rate.

Since the unmeasurable amount is uniform relatively according to therotating speed of the watering housing 44 and/or the rotating speed ofthe blower fan 24, the control unit 190 may obtain a unmeasurable amountunder the current operation condition by referring to a lookup table forpre-stored unmeasurable amounts. According to an embodiment, the controlunit 190 may obtain a unmeasurable amount through a water level changeof the water tank 30 due to an operation start of the watering motor 42.Since the evaporation rate is uniform relatively according to therotating speed of the watering housing 44, the rotating speed of theblower fan 24, and/or a relative humidity measured by the air statesensor unit 135, the control unit 190 may obtain an evaporation rateunder the current operation condition by referring to a lookup table forpre-stored evaporation rate. According to an embodiment, the controlunit 190 may obtain an evaporation rate through a water level changevalue of the water tank 30 during an operation of the watering motor 42.

In this embodiment, when a unmeasurable amount is m and an evaporationrate is n, a water level display change time is T=m/n.

The control unit 190 may wait for the calculated water level displaychange time after measuring a water level drop of the water level sensor142 in operation S440. The control unit 190 may wait for a water leveldisplay change time calculated from a time point that the water levelsensor 142 measures a water level drop of the water tank 30. The controlunit 190 may wait for a water level display change time from a timepoint that an inputted signal is changed from a signal of one holesensor 142 a into a signal of another hole sensor 142 a that is disposedbelow the corresponding hole sensor 142 a.

In this embodiment, when it is assumed that the amount of water when thewater level sensor 142 measures a water level drop is V, the amount ofwater that is actually contained in a water tank when the water leveldrop is measured is V+m. Since the water level display change time isT=m/n, the amount of water evaporated when the water level displaychange time elapses is (m/n)*n=m. When the water level display changetime elapses, since the amount of water corresponding to a water levelof the water tank 30 is V−m, the amount of water that is actuallycontained in a water tank is V−m+m=V, which is increased by m. That is,after the water level sensor 142 measures a water level drop, it isrequired to wait for a water level display change time, so that anactual water level becomes a water level when the water level drop ismeasured.

After the water level display change time, the control unit 190 maychange a water level of the water tank 30 displayed on the water leveldisplay unit 250 in operation S450. In this embodiment, the control unit190 may change a water level of the water tank 30, which was the thirdwater level W3 before the water level drop of the water tank 30 anddisplayed on the water level display unit 250, into the second waterlevel W2. The control unit 190 may turn off the display of the fifthwater level W5 (that is, full water) of the water level display unit250, which was a water level of the water tank 30 before the water leveldrop of the water tank 30 and then, display the fourth water level W4 onthe water level display unit 250. The control unit 190 may display thata water level of the water tank 30 was the second water level W2 beforethe water level drop of the water tank 30 and then, display the firstwater level W1 (that is, empty water) on the water level display unit250.

When displaying the first water level W1 (that is, empty water) on thewater level display unit 250, the control unit 190 may output soundthrough the buzzer module 150 and stop an operation of the wateringmotor 42 to stop the rotation of the watering housing 44.

An air conditioner and a control method thereof according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention have at least one of thefollowing effects.

As a water level of a water tank is displayed in a multi-stage, a usercan easily predict a water filling timing or recognize that a waterlevel becomes close to the full water.

As a water level of a water tank is displayed beside a water supply holefor supplying water, when a user supplies water while looking at thewater supply hole, a water level can be recognized without moving theline of sight.

By using a plurality of hole sensors, a water level of a water tank canbe measured without interruption from the empty water to the full waterin a water tank.

Since a water level is measured continuously when water is poured fromthe upper side to a water tank, water overflow can be prevented.

By determining a water level through a high hole sensor when signals areoutputted from two hole sensors, malfunction due to a wrong empty waterdetermination can be prevented and water overflow during a user's watersupply can be prevented.

By complementing a case that an actual water level is different from ameasured water level due to an operation of a waterwheel, a water levelcan be displayed accurately.

As a time calculated after a water level drop of a water tank ismeasured is waited and a water level display is changed, an accuratewater level can be notified to a user.

A waiting time before a water level display is changed after themeasuring of the water level drop of a water tank can be accuratelycalculated relatively.

By notifying a user that there is no water in a water tank, a user canbe prevented from supplying water to the water tank unnecessarily.

Water overflow due to a wrong full water display of a water tank can beprevented when a user supplies water.

A confusing water level display when a water level of a water tank is upas a waterwheel stops rotating can be prevented.

The effects of the present invention are not limited to the above; othereffects that are not described herein will be clearly understood by thepersons skilled in the art from the following claims.

The above-disclosed subject matter is to be considered illustrative andnot restrictive, and the appended claims are intended to cover all suchmodifications, enhancements, and other embodiments, which fall withinthe true spirit and scope of the present invention. Thus, to the maximumextent allowed by law, the scope of the present invention is to bedetermined by the broadest permissible interpretation of the followingclaims and their equivalents, and shall not be restricted or limited bythe foregoing detailed description.

What is claimed is:
 1. An air conditioner comprising: a water tank tostore water; a visual body disposed over the water tank and formed of atransparent material; a watering housing to draw water stored in thewater tank and to spray the drawn water to the visual body; a waterlevel sensor to measure a water level of the water tank in amulti-stage; a top cover assembly disposed over the visual body andhaving a water supply hole to supply water to the water tank; a waterlevel display unit disposed beside the water supply hole of the topcover assembly to display a water level measured by the water levelsensor in a multi-stage; a lower humidification medium disposed betweenthe visual body and the water tank, the lower humidification mediumcontaining moisture and humidifying passing-through air; a upperhumidification medium separably disposed at the upper side of the visualbody, the upper humidification medium containing moisture andhumidifying passing-through air; and wherein the watering housing sprayswater to the visual body to supply moisture to the upper humidificationmedium and the lower humidification medium.
 2. An air conditioner ofclaim 1, wherein: the water tank comprises a floater to move verticallyaccording to a water level of the water tank and to generate a magneticforce, the water level sensor comprises a plurality of hole sensors todetect a magnetic force generated by the floater and to output a signal,and at least one of the plurality of hole sensors detects a magneticforce generated by the floater to output a signal.
 3. The airconditioner of claim 2, further comprising a control unit to receive asignal from the water level sensor to determine a water level of thewater tank, wherein: when there is one hole sensor outputting a signalamong the plurality of hole sensors, the control unit determines a waterlevel of the water tank by the one hole sensor outputting the signal anddisplays the determined water level on the water level display unit, andwhen there are two hole sensors outputting signals among the pluralityof hole sensors, determines a water level of the water tank by the holesensor disposed higher between the two hole sensors outputting thesignals and displays the determined water level on the water leveldisplay unit.
 4. The air conditioner of claim 3, further comprising awatering motor to rotate the watering housing, wherein when is thecontrol unit determines that there is no water in the water tank, thecontrol unit stops an operation of the watering motor.
 5. The airconditioner of claim 1, further comprising a control unit to wait for awater level display change time after the water level sensor measures awater level drop of the water tank and to change a water level displayedon the water level display unit.
 6. The air conditioner of claim 5,wherein the control unit calculates the water level display change timefrom an unmeasurable amount, that is the amount of water recovered inthe water tank after the stopping of the operation of the wateringmotor, and an evaporation rate, that is the amount of evaporated waterper hour due to humidification.
 7. A control method of an airconditioner comprising a water tank to store water, a visual bodydisposed over the water tank and formed of a transparent material, awatering housing to draw water stored in the water tank and to spray thedrawn water to the visual body, a lower humidification medium disposedbetween the visual body and the water tank and containing moisture andhumidifying passing-through air, a upper humidification medium separablydisposed at the upper side of the visual body and containing moistureand humidifying passing-through air, a water level sensor comprising aplurality of hole sensors to measure a water level of the water tank ina multi-stage, a floater disposed at the water tank to move verticallyaccording to a water level, and a water level display unit to display awater level measured by the water level sensor in a multi-stage, thecontrol method comprising: when there is one hole sensor outputting asignal by detecting a magnetic force generated by the floater,determining a water level of the water tank by the one hole sensoroutputting the signal; and when there are two hole sensors outputtingsignals by detecting a magnetic force generated by the floater among theplurality of hole sensors, determining a water level of the water tankby the hole sensor disposed higher between the two hole sensorsoutputting the signals.
 8. The control method of claim 7, furthercomprising displaying the determined water level of the water tank on awater level display unit disposed beside a water supply hole to supplywater to the water tank and to display a water level measured by thewater level sensor in a multi-stage.
 9. The control method of claim 7,further comprising: measuring, by the water level sensor, a water leveldrop of the water tank; waiting for a water level display change timeafter measuring the water level drop of the water tank; and displaying awater level change on the water level display unit, disposed beside thewater supply hole for supplying water to the water tank, after the waterlevel display change time.
 10. The control method of claim 9, whereinthe water level display change time is calculated from an unmeasurableamount, that is the amount of water recovered in the water tank afterstopping an operation of a watering motor, and an evaporation rate, thatis the amount of evaporated water per hour due to humidification. 11.The control method of claim 7, further comprising, when it is determinedthat there is no water in the water tank, stopping spraying water storedin the water tank.